3 Arrested in California on Detroit Ponzi Scam Charges

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The FBI says three people wanted on federal fraud charges in connection with a $25 million investment scheme based in Detroit have been arrested in Southern California.

The FBI said Friday that agents arrested 61-year-old Ronald Brito and 66-year-old Bonnie Brito last month in Cathedral City while 68-year-old Thomas Moore was arrested last week in Palm Springs.

The defendants are named in a 64-count indictment charging them with leading a Ponzi scheme between 2005 and 2012. The alleged scheme promised 500 investors lucrative returns on investments in an Arizona gold mine and other businesses.

Prosecutors in Michigan say the scheme raised more than $25 million.

Moore is awaiting transfer to Detroit to face the charges. Ronald Brito is in custody in Detroit. Bonnie Brito was released on bond in Detroit.

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